Henry Winter dusts off his crystal ball ahead of the new season to predict
where the 20 Premier League clubs will finish.

Blue could be the colour this season; the blue of Chelsea or Manchester City. Even if Wayne Rooney does not get his wish and move from Manchester United, Chelsea look well-equipped to win the Premier League.

Frank Lampard, John Terry and particularly Ashley Cole have one more year of exceptional service to give. Mark Schwarzer provides excellent cover for Petr Cech while Romelu Lukaku returns from West Brom a more powerful, all-round striker. Eden Hazard has settled into English football so effectively, adding robustness to his technique, that he could be a contender for Footballer of the Year. Juan Mata exudes class on and off the field.

City also have a fine squad, arguably better than Chelsea’s. They have not only been astute in the individuals they have signed but also in doing their business early. Manuel Pellegrini inherits a strong defence, good characters like Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta.

Fernandinho and Yaya Toure look a formidable central midfield, a blend of energy, tackles and goals. City lacked width under Roberto Mancini, unless provided by the full-backs, so Jesus Navas amply addresses a flaw. Stefan Jovetic has often looked sharp against English opposition in the past. Alvaro Negredo should also prosper.

Most bookmakers favour City, and it can be an expensive game going against the odds-makers, but the feeling for Chelsea glory rests on the dug-out dwellers. Pellegrini has still to learn the rigours and rhythms of English football. Jose Mourinho knows how to win the Premier League, how to keep his squad motivated and fresh. Chelsea 1st, City second.

Champions Manchester United may have to wait to find the key of the door for title No 21. David Moyes must hope David De Gea’s impressive acclimatisation to the physical nature of English football continues, that Phil Jones stays fit, Wilfried Zaha works on his final ball successfully and Robin van Persie stays fit. Unless they strengthen with the likes of Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines, United could slip. Third.

A little three-way battle to make the top-10 all-time Premier League scorers goes on between Van Persie, who has struck 74 in the last three seasons, taking him to 122, and Jermain Defoe and Nicolas Anelka who are on 123. Currently 10th on 127 is Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

For all the fevered focus on Arsenal's pursuit of Luis Suárez, Arsene Wenger needs a goalkeeper and a centre-half as well as a predator. This could be Wenger’s final season, hence the controversial courting of Suárez. A fit Jack Wilshere will give Arsenal authority in the centre while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain must show his career trajectory has not slowed and he builds on that eye-catching cameo for England in Rio. Fourth.

Spurs will challenge Arsenal in the race for fourth. Even if they lose Gareth Bale, and the sums being offered are far too good to turn down, they have enough new talent in Roberto Soldado and Paulinho, a potential Premier League star. Fifth.

Liverpool showed last season they can prosper without Suárez. If he leaves or remains out in the cold, Liverpool will simply look more to the creative elegance of Philippe Coutinho and the penalty-box skills of Daniel Sturridge. Simon Mignolet, a solid dressing-room citizen as well as a good keeper, looks a smart signing by Brendan Rodgers. Sixth.

Swansea possess the players, organization, manager and ambition to climb high, particularly if they keep Ashley Williams while Wilfried Bony and Michu quickly form a strong partnership. Swansea’s problem will be in the distracting Europa League, a competition they could win. Seventh.

Everton will be highly watchable under Roberto Martínez, and the youngster John Stones could be one to watch as well as Ross Barkley.

Losing Fellaini and Baines would be a weighty blow, restricting their upward mobility.Eighth.

West Ham's ambitions rest partly on Andy Carroll getting fully fit and staying fit. If so, he can destroy defences. Sam Allardyce’s canniness will ensure West Ham go one better than last season. Ninth.

Aston Villa should be stronger for last year’s traumatic experience. They have kept Christian Benteke, have a defiant, shot-stopping keeper in Brad Guzan and a hungry, savvy manager in Paul Lambert. 10th.

Quite a few Premier League clubs scouted Victor Wanyama and Southampton took the plunge, spending £12.5 million, and he should bring energy and steel to midfield. The exciting Luke Shaw will continue to develop. Rickie Lambert’s commitment and eye for goal will scare many defences while Mauricio Pochettino continues to encourage fluency. Eleventh.

West Brom will miss Lukaku, such a force last year, and there will be a real curiosity to see how the 34-year-old Anelka fares. It seems only yesterday he was scoring his first goal in England for Arsenal against United, beating Peter Schmeichel at the near-post; it was 16 years ago. A mysterious individual, Anelka’s intelligence has always been clear in the final third. 12th.

Anything is possible at St James’ Park. Newcastle could be united and pushing for Europe or scrapping off the field and flirting with relegation.

Alan Pardew is a good manager, they have a decent first XI but need that Pardew, Joe Kinnear and Mike Ashley to sing from the same team-sheet. 13th.

Fulham will rely heavily on Dimitar Berbatov staying fit and happy but the loss of Schwarzer is offset by the arrival of Maarten Stekelenburg. 14th.

Stoke City should slowly be lifted by Mark Hughes but only if their strikers fix their sights. 15th.

Sunderland will become the ninth club to reach 7,000 league goals with their 17th of the season but scoring could be an issue and Jozy Altidore has much to prove. In goal, Vito Mannone is not the best replacement for Mignolet. 16th.

Norwich City should have enough to stay clear of the bottom three, especially if Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Gary Hooper click up front. 17th.

One of the promoted trio may settle but all seem at real risk. In becoming the 46th ever Premier League club, Cardiff City will be well prepared by Malky Mackay and will look to Craig Bellamy. Steven Caulker will bring authority but it may not be enough: 18th.